US27963A - Trtjss-bbjdgre - Google Patents

Description

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

GOODWIN O. BISHOP, OF HANNIBAL, MISSOURI.

TRUSS-BRIDGE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 27,963, dated April 24, 1860.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, GOODWIN O. BIsI-Ior, of the city of Hannibal, in the county of Marion and State of Missouri, have invented a new and Improved Compound Arch Truss- Bridge; and I do hereby declare that the following is a clear and exact description oi the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l, represents the side elevation of a span; Fig. 2, shows an enlarged perspective view ofthe end; Fig. 3, shows the end of bottom chord or stretcher; Fig. 4, shows a cross section.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction of the shoe, and mode of securing it to the bottom chord; the combination and arrangement of the bottom, circle, and

top chords, braces and counter-braces, angleblocks, tension-rods, and angle-rods; the whole forming a compound truss, whereby the camber of the bridge may be adjusted at any point, and the counter-braces sustained against the shock of a moving train, or other heavy body passing over the bridge.

To enable others skilled in the art, to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the same more fully, referring to the drawings, and the let-ters marked thereon.

I construct my step, as seen in Fig. 3, by having plates of metal (U,) with projecting ribs which are itted firmly on the sides and between the timbers forming the bottom chord (F,) which spans the distance from the abutments or piers; on the top and across are sunk grooves (t,) into which projecting pieces (1),) on the under side of the shoe (G,) are tted. The shoe (G,) as seen in Fig. 2, is made of cast iron, and forms the step and bearing of the arch-chord (1),) and main brace (E,) and is held in its place by the rods (G,) and stirrup (H,) projections (o.)

The compound truss structure as seen in Fig. l, is composed of the bottom chord or stretcher (F,) extending horizontally from pier to pier, and resting thereon. To both ends are secured the shoe (G,) as before described, supporting the arch chord (1),) on the top of which are a series of angle blocks (w, w, 10,) being the step for the braces and counter-braces (I, and K,) on the top of which are angle-blocks (w, 03,) upon which rests the top chord (Z.) The top and arch chords are brought to bear upon the braces by tension rods (J,) and angle-rods (F,) radiating from the center of the arch chord (I),) whereby the camber of the bridge may be adjusted at any or all of the points of bearing. 'Ihe stretcher, or bottom chord, (F,) is supported by bolt rods, extending down from the arch chord (1),) at such suitable distances as may be required.

The advantages of my mode of structure in the compound arch truss bridge, will readily be seen. I dispense entirely with king-post, so that there is no halving or locking of the timbers in any place; thereby obviating the necessity of eXtra heavy timbers for railroad bridges; and the manner of constructing and staying is such that it will sustain a great weight, and the span may be of very great length, and be safe and durable, While the force of heavy loads coming suddenly upon it is counteracted by the manner of staying the several parts as above described.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the shoe (G,) step (U,) and strap or stirrup (H,) for the purpose of connecting and securing the arch chord (1),) to its bottom chord (F,) in the manner described.

2. The combination and arrangement of the chord (F,) and arch chord (1),) with the Compound truss (0,) arranged as described, whereby the camber of the bridge may be adjusted at any and all points, and the counterbraces sustained against the shock of a moving train, or other heavy body passing on the bridge.

GOODWIN O. BISHOP. )Vitnesses L. F. WHITNEY, L. BoswoRTH.

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